35
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1992
UNDER THE AMENDMENT, NO-SMOKING AREAS ARE EXTENDED ΤΟ INCLUDE ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORT, SEATING ACCOMMODATION IN CINEMAS, THEATRES AND CONCERT HALLS, AND AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES.
OPERATORS WILL HAVE TO PUT UP ANTI-SMOKING SIGNS IN THESE AREAS BY AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR AND PATRONS MUST CEASE TO SMOKE IN THESE AREAS BY THAT DATE.
AN ORDER BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL REQUIRE MANAGEMENTS TO INDICATE ON THESE NO SMOKING SIGNS THE LEVEL OF
PENALTY.
-
IN ADDITION
ΤΟ GIVING LEGISLATIVE BACKING FOR PROHIBITING CIGARETTE ADVERTISING ON TELEVISION AND RADIO
ALREADY IN EFFECT THROUGH LICENSING CONTROLS SINCE DECEMBER 1 LAST YEAR
AMENDMENT ALSO PROHIBITS CIGARETTE ADVERTISING IN CINEMAS.
-
THE
A GRACE PERIOD UNTIL AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR WILL BE GIVEN.
THE DEFINITION OF CIGARETTE ADVERTISEMENT HAS ALSO BEEN REVISED TO INCLUDE EVENTS SPONSORED BY CIGARETTE BRAND NAMES.
ANOTHER MEASURE INTRODUCED BY THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE IS то PROHIBIT THE SALE OF CIGARETTES WITH A TAR CONTENT EXCEEDING 20 MILLIGRAMS EACH. SUCH CIGARETTES WOULD NO LONGER BE PERMITTED FROM FEBRUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
"WE ARE AMENDING THE SMOKING (PUBLIC SHORTLY TO RESTRUCTURE THE TAR GROUP DESIGNATIONS,
+
HEALTH) REGULATIONS
MR GOULD ADDED.
"IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL SOON BE MAKING AN ORDER TO INCREASE THE PROMINENCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF HEALTH WARNINGS AND TAR GROUP DESIGNATIONS ON CIGARETTE PACKETS AND IN ADVERTISEMENTS AND TO PROVIDE FOR ROTATION OF HEALTH WARNINGS.'
"
THE AMENDMENT HAS ALSO RAISED THE LEVELS OF PENALTY FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES. THE FINE FOR SMOKING IN A NO-SMOKING AREA HAS BEEN RAISED FROM $1,000 TO $5,000.
AN OFFENDER WHO
FAILS ΤΟ GIVE HIS NAME AND ADDRESS WHEN REQUIRED IS NOW LIABLE, UPON CONVICTION, TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000, UP FROM $3,000.
SELLING CIGARETTES IN PACKETS OR CONTAINERS WITHOUT THE PRESCRIBED HEALTH WARNING AND TAR GROUP DESIGNATION NOW ATTRACTS A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $20,000, INSTEAD OF $5,000 PREVIOUSLY.
THE PENALTY FOR FAILING TO DISPLAY THE REQUIRED HEALTH WARNING AND TAR GROUP DESIGNATION IN AN ADVERTISEMENT WILL BE $15,000, PLUS $1,500 FOR EACH DAY THE OFFENCE CONTINUES (UP FROM $5,000 PLUS $500 PER DAY).
THE SAME PENALTY WILL APPLY TO ADVERTISING CIGARETTES
ON
TELEVISION AND RADIO OR IN A CINEMA.
/MR GOULD